IN THE LIBRARY

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1934, Page 7

IN THE LIBRARY

THE CAMBRIDGE MODERN HISTORY.This splendid work, assuredly by far the best of its nature and compass ever given to English readers, is now announced for immediate publication in a new edition, and at a price which makes it an attraction to all who admite accurate scholarship in history. Originally - conceived and planned by the’ late Lord Aetc-n, many of the chapters were defined and their writers arranged for before his death. Though it is much to be regretted that Lord Acton did not live to see the completion of at least a considerable portion of his immense project, it is yet pleasing to know that the staff chosen carried out his intentions and plans almost entirely. Lord Acton’s name is one which ensures confidence, and,' it may at once be said, the volumes fully endorse this reliance. The original publication of this series of thirteen volumes (the last consisting of tables and a general index — there being a full index to each volume also) extended from 1902 to 191.1 (with an Atlas Volume issued in 1912, but not included in this reissue). Its price was then 16/ per volume, net. The reprinting, now, of the same text in full, sells at 7/6 per volume or 90/ the set, net. When it is mentioned that each of these volumes averages about 800 pages, or some 400,000 words, it will be seen that the value given. is very large indeed. These volumes have been reprinted many times, some more frequently than others as each is complete in itself and embraces a definite epoch.. From this the value attached to their matter may be gathered, if any such need there were.

A most valuable feature of the “Cambridge Modern History’ ’ is the remarkably lengthy and comprehensive series of bibliographies appended to each volume. These are most usefully arranged by chapters, so that one is able speedily and conveniently to refer to the most reliable works available which deal with any one section or period. An Eloquent List. As an indication of the scope and width of the scholarship enlisted, one may give the titles of the chapters, and the names of the contributors responsible for each as these appear in the first volume: “The Eenaissance.” Introductory Note, by Mandell Creighton. The Ago of Discovery, by E. .1. / Payne, • The New World, by E. J, Payne. The Ottoman Conquest, by ’J. B. Bury. , Italy and Her Invaders, by Stanley Leathes. Florence (I): Savanarola, by E. Armstrong. Florence (2): Machiavelli, by L. Arthur Burd. Eome and the Temporal Power, by Eichard Garnett. Venice, by Horatio Brown. Germany and the Empire, by T, F. Tout. Hungary and the Slavonic Kingdoms, by Emil Eeich. The Catholic Kings (Spain), by H. Butler Clarke. France, by Stanley Leathes. The Netherlands, by A. W. Ward. The Early Tudors, by James Gairdner. Economic Change, by William Cunningham. The .Classical Eenaissance, by Sir Eichard C. Jebb. i The Christian Eenaissance, by M. E. James.

Catholic Europe, by William Barry. The Eve of the Eeformation, by Henry Carles Lea, To give an idea of the thoroughness of the bibliographies it may he mentioned that this volume contains precisely one hundred pages devoted to these alone, and this is followed by six pages of chronological tables covering the period from 1311 to 1521. Pop© Alexander VI.

Upon occasion, the portraits sketched are admirable, and, as one would expect, carefully balanced, for, instance this of Pope Alexander VI (Borgia).

“Alexander's character has undoubtedly gained by the scrutiny of modern historians. It was but natural that one accused of so many crimes, and unquestionably the cause of many scandals, should alternately appear as a tyrant and as a voluptuary. Neither description suits him. The groundwork of his character was extreme exuberance of nature. The Venetian ambassador calls him a carnal man, not implying anything morally derogatory, but meaning a man of sanguine temperament, unable to control his passions and emotions. This perplexed the cool unimpassionccl Italians of the diplomatic type then prevalent among rulers and statesmen, and their misapprehensions have unduly prejudiced Alexander, who in truth was not less but more human than most princes of his time. This excessive “carnality” wrought in him for good and 111. Unrestrained by moral scruples, or by any spiritual conception of religion, he was betrayed by it into gross sensuality of one land, though in other respects he was temperate and abstemious, In the more respectable guise of family pfffeetion it led him to outrage every principle of justice; though even here he only performed a necessary work which could not, as one of his agents said, have been accomplished “by holy water.” Oh the other hand, his geniality and joyousness preserved

[BY “THE BOOK-MAN.”]

him from tyranny in the ordinary sense of the term; considering the absolute character of his authority, and the standard of his times, it ,is surprising how little, outside the regions of “la haute politique/ is charged against him. His sanguine constitution also gave him tremendous driving power. “Pope Alexander,” says a later writer, censuring the dilatorinesa of Leo X, “did but will a thing, and it was done.” As a ruler, careful of the material weal of his people, he ranks among the best of his age; as a practical statesman he was the equal of any contemporary. But his insight was impaired by his lack of political morality; he had nothing of the higher wisdom which comprehends the characteristics and foresees the drift of an epoch, and he did not know what a principle was. The general tendency of investigation, while utterly shattering all idle attempts to represent him as a model Pope, has been to relieve him of , the most odious imputations against his character. There remains the charge of secret poisoning from motives of cupidity, which indeed appears established, or nearly so, only in a single instance; but this may imply others. ” This jmragraph is particularly interesting owing to the marked blackening of this Pontiff’s character which has been commonly practised until the close of the XIX century. The Jews In Spain. The following- extract referring tothe treatment of the Jews in Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella is of particular present interest, and the more so seeing it was written in or before 1902, when its modern parallel was undreamed of.

“Sixtus IV made several attempts (1482-3) to cheek the deadly work, but was obliged by pressure from Spain to deny the right of appeal to himself. The Inquisitors were appointed by the Crown, which profited by their ruthless confiscations. Their proceedings checked instead of promoting conversion, and a large body of professing Jews remained isolated and stubborn among the Chrisaian population. Against these was turned the religious and national enthusiasm that greeted the fall of the last stronghold of the Infidel. The achievement of political unity made the lack of religious unity more apparent. It was rumoured that the

Jews were carrying on an active propaganda; old calumnies were revived; they were accused of plotting against the State, of sacrificing Christian children, and of torturing and insulting the Host. Tn .1478 an edict expelled them from Seville and Cordova; the severest repressive measures were renewed in 1480; and in March, 1492, in spite of Ferdinand’s protest, the Jews of Castile were bidden to choose within four months between baptism and exile. On the strength of an existing law prohibiting the export of precious metals, they were stripped of a great part of their wealth, and many hundred thousands quitted Spain, The treasury seized their abandoned property; but Spain was the poorer for the loss of a thrifty and industrious population. The work of the Inquisition now increased. Many of the exiles returned as professing Christians, while many suspected families of converts had been left behind. Pedigrees were subjected to the closest scrutiny; not even the highest positions in the Church, or the most saintly life, secured from cruel persecution those whose blood was tainted. Even if their faith was beyond suspicion, they were made social outcasts. ‘Statutes as to purity of blood excluded them, in spite of the protests of the church, at first from universities, chapters, and public offices, and later even from religious congregations and trade guilds. Torquemada died in 1498; but the persecutions went on until Cordova rose against the fierce and fanatical Lucero (150(5-7), Ximenes became Grand Inquisitor (1507), and the tribunal became less savage, while its sphere of activity widened. At the beginning of the century the baptised Saracens had been placed under its authority. When Islam was proscribed throughout Castile (1502) the Inquisition stamped out its last embers, by methods hardly less rigorous than those directed against the Jews; afterwards, it was employed to further absolutism in Church and State. ' Buck arc the passions roused by the very name of the Inquisition, that it is difficult to judge its work. The Jesuit Mariana, a bold and impartial critic, calls it “a present remedy given by Heaven against threatened ills.” lie admits, however, that tin; cure was a

costly one; that the good name, life, and fortune of all lay in the hands of the Inquisitors; that its visitation of the sins of the fathers upon children, its cruel punishments, its secret proceedings, and prying methods caused universal alarm; and that Its tyranny was regarded by many as ‘worse than death.’ ” THE MAGAZINES. We have received from Messrs. Rodder and Stoughton, through Mr H. Menzies, a parcel of magazines of current date. The “Grand” for .Inly, is. as usual, a capital number, as will bo gathered from the fact that stories are from such well-known pons as those of W. Somerset Maugham, Warwick Deeping, IT, de Verc Stacpoole, Ethel Manning and P, G. Wodehouse, who again makes

excellent play witli "Jeeves.’’ A delightful magazine I'or Hu l fireside. # * * • The "West” for mid-Juno is a thrilling issue*. Slivers Cassidy, one of the West's most courageous trouble-shooters, whoso fame depends not so much on what he does as how he does it, is the hero of another exciting and hilarious story, which is typical of the good fare provided by the magazine. The "All Detective” for June, provides capital reading, in which mystery and the genius of sleuths play a striking part. "Hell in Boxes," by Lester Dent, is a particularly lino complete novelette. All the stories are complete. * • » ** "The Htrand,” for duly, is replete with short stories by such popular authors as F. C. Wodehouse, Roland Dertwee, Danis .Mackail and 11. do Vere Blacpoole, and also contains a particularly into resting summary, under the heading, "Creating a Character,” in which famous players relate how some of their greatest successes have been accomplished. The issue Is disfiiietly bright and breezy throughout. « ¥ * ** A most marvellous gift of seven free patterns to make a charming outfit—dress, swagger coat, short sac coat, Jumper blouse, skirt, hat, and pochette to match —is offered by Weldon’s Ladies’ Journal for July. Fashions include jackets, blouses and skirls, suits, plain and printed froeks, frock and coat ensembles, washing frocks, styles for the business girl, evening frocks, outsize modes; styles for the older woman, new lingerie styles, easy an ABC frocks, styles for the rnother-to-be and her babies. fl V V • Weldon's bazaar of children’s fashions, August number, contains free patterns of girl's tennis dress and sleeveless frock, 1,1-14 years; small boy’s blouse and knickers; and small girl’s skirt and cardigan, 7-S years. Fashions—many In colour—include styles for children of all ages.